A Grave Inheritance by Kari Edgren Read Free Book Online Page A

House.”
    “Thank you, James, but that won’t be necessary. I’ve brought two carriages to accommodate the party. If you will accompany Lucy and Nora Goodwin in one carriage, Miss Kilbrid and I will ride in the other.”
    I glanced at him, not sure what he was up to. Moments before he could hardly be bothered to acknowledge my presence. Now he’d made arrangements for us to ride alone together. Lucy was so busy counting the trunks and ordering Beth around that she didn’t raise a single protest to his suggestion. I straightened my shoulders and set my chin, prepared to give him a piece of my mind once we were out of the public eye.
    Two exquisite black and gold carriages were parked in tandem, one directly across from us, the other some twenty paces behind. At least eight powdered footmen stood at perfect attention, clad in black breeches and coats with gold trim to match. Henry raised his arm to shoulder height and flicked his wrist, sending a rush of footmen in our direction.
    “See to the trunks,” he said to the first man who approached.
    “Yes, my lord,” the man said, bowing.
    Henry placed a light hand on my elbow, not enough to really touch me, but more as a token of politeness. “This way, Miss Kilbrid.” Nora released my other arm without any further protest.
    Another footman opened the carriage door, placing a wooden step on the ground beneath it. Henry took my hand to help me onto the step and into the carriage. Sitting on the padded leather bench, I waited for him, my temper seething. He climbed into the carriage and sat on the bench opposite me, his expression unchanged from our first encounter. He stared at me in silence, his face so devoid of emotion I had to bite my lip to keep from yelling. The window shades were drawn against the daylight, plunging us in heavy shadow once the door was closed. The coachman flipped the reins and I swayed when the horses lurched forward.
    I took a deep breath to steady my voice. “Henry, I don’t know what you’re playing at, but if you think I came all the way to England—”
    His dim outline stirred, shifting in one fluid motion to the seat beside me. His hands found my waist and he pulled me close, pressing me hard against him. The next thing I knew his mouth had found mine and he was kissing me. Startled by the sudden change, I sat dumbfounded, my mind still reeling from his earlier behavior.
    My body was experiencing something entirely different as what remained of my power began to stir deep inside me. I ignored it, temporarily blinded by my anger and the need to tell him just why I had come to England. Attempting to push him away, I felt his grip tighten on my waist.
    “Please don’t, Selah,” he said, his deep voice making my skin tingle. “Let me kiss you. I’ll go mad if I have to wait any longer.” His mouth reclaimed mine, silencing my next words with a hunger that refused to be denied.
    I willingly submitted this time, my need for him erasing all traces of anger. This is exactly why I came all the way to England, what I have been dreaming of for the past fifteen weeks. My power came roaring to life, filling my chest and racing along my arms into my fingertips. The warmth played eagerly on the surface as though begging permission to spill over and bare my soul. Reaching up, I put my hands behind his neck, pulling him closer and returning his passion measure for measure. My power flowed into him and he groaned softly, his arms tightening around me.
    “I love you, Selah.” His warm breath brushed my cheek. “It was a mistake to leave the Colonies without you. Upon my soul, I shall never be such a fool again.”
    His words made my heart soar. “Oh, Henry,” I said, my face wet with tears. “Your behavior had me so confused. Too much more, and I would have thought you no longer cared for me.” That maybe I had been only a diversion.
    “Forgive me, Selah. The last thing I wanted was to hurt you, but there were too many eyes watching. I had to